Moving across the country meant we would be leaving behind our family, lifetime friends, and a thriving ministry. There was one thing I wanted to know for sure. Was I running from something or was I running to something? There is a huge difference between the two. In no way did I want to run from where God had planted me based on a false belief that the grass would be greener. I wanted to be SURE that we were running TO a place God was calling us…no matter what color the grass was!  

By: Ken Tankersley

So we got to work - we made the decision to set aside the agenda for the day and sit down and talk about what had become the most pressing issue in the Area:  ‘WE NEEDED MORE VOLUNTEERS!’ This is typical because ‘more volunteers’ is always at the top of every YL area’s list of needs. However, the next 45 minutes changed my perspective and approach on volunteerism forever. 

By: Jeff Rudder

 You see, for more than 20 years I’ve had the privilege of being mentored by Ted Johnson, former interim President of Young Life and “encourager-in-chief” for the mission. There have been many times in that 20 years when I needed advice. Sometimes the situation was work-related and sometimes personal. Most of the time, upon approaching Ted for help, he started his thoughts by asking me a question – “are you open to an idea?” My response to that simple question would changed everything. Because of my respect for Ted, I almost always said ‘yes’ and that response changed the course of the conversation to a new approach, plan or path.  

YL is full of early adopters who are open to ideas. 

Do you remember how you spent your afternoons after school? They might have included sports, homework, or playing with friends. Today’s teens now have a glowing mobile device vying for their time and it can affect how they are interacting with the world. Can we, as adults, help teens go deeper with God when they’re not at school, rather than go deeper into the black hole of their smartphone? Can we use this strategic time between end-of-school and end-of-day to go deeper with teens instead? 

Is a first-time Banquet in your Area’s plans this year? The task seems daunting. Let me be clear: it is an enormous undertaking. Note:  Don’t Do This Alone! I’ve seen hundreds of Banquets over the past 25 years. One pitfall I see staff fall into is doing much of the preparation and performing on their own. By the way, nobody expects staff to. You Need A Team! (Yes, the A-Team would be preferable.)